American Gangster

from 9/14/06 from pseudo-intellectualism

Some of the teachers were planning a Friday neighborhood walk with their kids to view the set for a new movie, "American Gangster," starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. It was being filmed between 122-123rd Streets and Malcom X Blvd. (Lenox). I checked it out at lunchtime and caught a lucky shot of Denzel, before being shooed away by the usual set "thugs." To the left of Denzel is director Ridley (Gladiator) Scott. Denzel appeared very pensive, looking like he was getting into his role, I did some research on the movie and found that it was based on the life of the infamous Harlem "druglord" Frank (Superfly) Lucas, with an extended NYMag piece by Mark Jacobson providing the inspiration. Here's the link to it. It's an incredible view of the drug trade in Harlem in the late 60's, early 70's. Here's a slide show I put together of pictures I took, along with some background info and shots of the stars.